Month: August 2018

On June 3, 2018, the crew arrived at the Kelly Creek unit midday. They had established good communication with dispatch. The crew held a briefing, discussed their plan for the remainder of the day, and began work. They identified two helispots at Kelly Creek – one on top (H-1) and one at the base of the slope (H-2). The crew flagged and improved the route to H-2 in preparation for the felling operations that would begin the next day. Some saw work was necessary to accomplish this task.

Map with key points

At 0730 on June 4, 2018, the crew checked in with dispatch and completed their morning briefing before breaking out into their saw teams. The five saw teams consisted of 10 Faller 2s (FAL2), and each sawyer rotated every 45 minutes, or each tank of fuel. The five saw teams lined up from east to west (team 1 on the east end and team 5 on the west end). They began working downslope; horizontally aligned and working in vertical lanes. The prescription for the unit called for all trees smaller than 12” diameter at breast height (dbh) to be felled.

Tree density on the slope varied. Saw teams 1, 4, and 5 had more trees meeting prescription in their lane, which created a difference in the amount of time it took for the saw teams to advance downslope. Both project lead and crew reported that there was not an emphasis on production or pace; this was an opportunity for the crew to continue saw training in the field. Taking time to learn and improve technique was emphasized, while also correcting any identified deficiencies. Saw teams took the time to stop, discuss technique and ask questions of each other. The crew believed this was an important part of their training.

Saw teams 2 and 3 progressed much faster down the slope. This created line of sight and communication issues (slope went from 30 degrees near the top to 45+ degrees at mid-slope).

Incident

Saw team 4 felled a tree on the upper slope. This left a tall stump on the slope that needed to be low stumped. The low stumped section was green and heavy; making it difficult to manage on the moderate to steep slope. Once the low stumped section was released from the stump, it got away from Team 4 and began rolling down-slope. The team began shouting “Roller!” repeatedly while running down the slope. It looked as if the log would stop in the trees below. As the sawyer on Team 4 ran far enough downslope to see the creek at the bottom of the slope, it was apparent that the log was still traveling down slope catapulting end over end at a high rate of speed toward the creek below. Saw team 2’s swamper heard something, looked up, saw the log, and screamed “Roller!” to team 2’s sawyer. Sawyer 2 released the trigger of the chainsaw, looked up, and received a direct hit from the stump.

Stump that struck Sawyer 2

The log made impact with the chainsaw, which was held in front of the Sawyer 2’s waist. Both the chainsaw and log were driven into the sawyer’s body. Sawyer 2 was driven violently backwards into the ground. Sawyer 2’s saw team partner witnessed the strike and immediately went to assess Sawyer 2’s condition.

Patient Care

Four of the crew’s five emergency medical technicians (EMTs) responded immediately to Sawyer 2’s location and began providing care and holding c-spine. (Sawyer 2 is the senior EMT on the crew and fifth EMT.) Sawyer 2 was unconscious, bleeding from the head, and breathing laboriously. Within minutes, Sawyer 2 regained consciousness, appeared alert, and began breathing normally. Another crew member also arrived on scene with the trauma kit (from the top of slope), while another crewmember arrived with the Traverse Rescue Stretcher (TRS), which had been staged near H-2 on a flagged path. The crew’s four EMTs performed assessments, controlled bleeding, and packaged Sawyer 2 for transport.

Sawyer 2 was stabilized, bandaged, and loaded onto the TRS in less than 15 minutes from time of impact. Sawyer 2 was transported from the bottom of the slope to the vehicle on top of the hill in 11 minutes.

Radio communication was seamless. The crew notified the superintendent immediately via radio and continuously provided updates until Sawyer 2 was at the superintendent’s vehicle. The superintendent was on the phone with dispatch initially, who was also able to listen to radio communications. Dispatch notified local emergency medical services (EMS) for a medical response to the area. The Forest Service law enforcement officer (LEO) heard the call to dispatch on the radio, and headed towards the area. The FS LEO had good communication with the ambulance, and provided updates to EMS as they were responding. The FS LEO led the ambulance into the area, which expedited their response.

Damage to chainsaw

Damage to chainsaw

Patient Transport

Due to the remote location of the project site, poor road conditions, and urgency in getting Sawyer 2 to definitive care, the crew superintendent and one EMT planned to drive “until (we) meet the ambulance.” A second truck with the remaining EMTs from the crew followed the crew superintendent’s truck in the event that Sawyer 2’s condition changed, or something happened to one of the vehicles while en-route. While en-route, the lead EMT continued to monitor Sawyer 2’s condition and record vital signs. Excellent radio communication was maintained between the superintendent, dispatch, and the FS LEO, who updated EMS.

At about 1045, Sawyer 2 was transferred to the ambulance and transported the remaining distance to the hospital. The lead EMT stayed with the Sawyer 2, while the two crew trucks followed the ambulance to the hospital. After imaging and a thorough examination at the hospital, Sawyer 2 was treated for injuries and released.

The following is an advisory circulating in the wildland fire community.

Fire and Aviation Management

Behavioral Health Advisory

Subject: Caring for our own: Suicide Prevention and Behavioral Health

Distribution: Fire & Aviation personnel, Nationwide

Discussion: Suicide rates are increasing in this country, and while we do not have specific numbers, tragically, suicide affects our employees. Suicide does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, background or profession.

Help‐seeking is often perceived as “weakness” to be avoided at all costs. This stigma, by its very nature, promotes silence and discourages asking for help when it is needed. Reducing stigma—making it OK to not be OK, and OK to seek help—is the first step. By openly addressing the topic of mental health among our employees, we can embrace the notion that this issue is no different than any other injury or disease.

Our workplace is a critical partner in preventing suicide. We have an opportunity to give people a sense of purpose, hope and community, all of which are psychological buffers to distress. Take the time to connect with each other. Each of us has the ability to make a positive difference in someone’s life. One life lost is too many.

Risk Factors

Sleep deprivation

Heavy alcohol or drug use

Witnessing traumatic event (s)

Major physical illness or injury

Loss of a close relationship

Isolation or lack of social support (e.g. off‐season, retirement)

Knowing others who have died by suicide

Warning Signs

Sudden withdrawal from social contact

Persistent feeling of hopelessness

Increasingly reckless behavior

Mood swings/ Change in behavior

Having a suicide plan (me, place, method)

There is hope. It is important to talk about suicide. Help is available.

Get Help Now

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND OTHERS. Monitor and manage mental health, just as you would physical health. Do not be afraid to ask for help and seek medical treatment. Thoughts of suicide can occur in anyone. It is not their fault, but rather a need to treat a mental health issue.

TALK OPENLY AND ACTIVELY LISTEN. Peer support goes a long way to protecting mental health. Open communication is especially important for the survivors after a firefighter suicide occurs. Listen actively, let someone who is seeking your help talk at their own pace and ask them open‐ended questions.

SHOW COMPASSION: Psychological risk is an undeniable part of the job. Be patient and supportive; do not judge or stigmatize individuals experiencing a mental health challenge.

BE DIRECT. If someone seems at risk or shows warning signs, ask “Are you thinking of suicide?” and “Do you have a plan?” Recognizing a potential suicide is critical to preventing it.

BE PROACTIVE: If someone you know has a suicide plan, connect them with a higher level of care as soon as possible. If it is safe for someone to stay with them, do not leave them alone. Call 9‐1‐1 immediately.